Parshat Pinchas begins with Pinchas' act of zealotry followed by God's endorsement and reward for that act.
Therefore, say, "I hereby give him My covenant of peace. יבלָכֵן אֱמֹר הִנְנִי נֹתֵן לוֹ אֶת בְּרִיתִי שָׁלוֹם:
In the Torah scroll, the letter vav of the word “Shalom” is
cracked. Rav Zevin explains that the cracked vav allows us to think about the
similarities and differences between the words “Shalom”, peace, and Shalem,
whole.
Both indicate a fulfilled state of being. However Shalem refers to an
individual whereas Shalom refers to the relationship between two or more
objects or people.
The broken Vav highlights the difficulties that can exist in
trying to get along with others and achieve Shalom, peace. It is often easier
to achieve self-fulfillment for oneself than it is to achieve peace in our
interpersonal relationships. Yet we cannot take the easy way out. For true
personal fulfillment must include peace among all of our relationships: family,
friends, and neighbors.
There can be no real Sheleimut (self fulfillment) without Shalom (interpersonal peace). And the
broken Vav in Shalom reminds us just how elusive, yet essential, peace is.
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